Intercommunication receiving switch for telephone systems



Dec; 20, 1949 A. CONHAGEN INTERCOMMUNICATION RECEIVING SWITCH FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS 2 Shqets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 15, 1948 INVENTOR.

CONHAGEIM :ALFRBD Dec. 20, 1949 A. CONHAGEN 2,49%954 INTERCOMMUNICATIQN RECEIVING SWITCH FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS Filed s t'. 15, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 52 46 2 6 J J J 1% 15% M5 1%? J13 1133. J11] \1111 J INVENTOR. ALFRED CONHAGEN Patented Dec. 20, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INTERCOMMUNICATiON RECEIVING SWITCH FOR TELEPHONE sYs- TEMS Alfred Conhagen, New York, N; Y. Application September 15, 1948, Serial No. 49,316

7 Claims. 1?

This invention relates to new and useful improvements intelephony, and, more particularly, thednventio'n' aims to provide a novel and valua-bleaddition totelephone systems commonly referred to as intercomrnunicating systems.

Such systems have been highly developed, incorporating"a plurality of stations to as large a numberas may be desired. Such systems are installed for pr'ii ate use, as in a business organizati-on. At eachstation is] a telephone apparatus incorporating af transmitter" and a receiver for permitting cross-communication between one stati'oriandanothei' one selected as a calling station; Inorderfto permit a person at anystation tdselctone ofthe other stations for telephonic hdok up'with hisstatioii as the calling station, a part of"the-equipment at each station is a row onban'lc of selectively operable switches, a selec edsucliswitch being closable by depression of'an' appropriate'push button, below termed a calfbutton". When a particular call button i depressed, aeommunication may be had with the station corresponding to the call" button depressed, provided thelatterstation is not in telephonic hook-up with some third station.

Simultaneously with the establishment of a communication channel between a calling stationahd' anotherstation, a device at the calling station assumesan' abnormal disposition, and at the-same time allother stations except the calling and the called stations are cut out of said communication channel, and thus each of said other stations is disabled from connecting in with the calling or the called station. In a iamilia'r type of equipment, the call buttons are brown orsome' other color than white, while the devicelast referred to is a white button, the said abnormal disposition of which is a projection thereof." The said device is made to have some visually prominent characteristic, with the idea that theperson atthe calling station, when finished with his'telephonic interview with the persoir -atthe o'alldstation, should have every pos-' sible attention-attracting aid to remind him that at th'econclus'ion of such interview'hemust manu'all'y depress said white button, and so clear the system-so far assaid calling and called stations are concerned. 7

While the said white button remains projected at any station,- that station remains in telephonic hook up with the station the call of which resulted in auteinaticprojection of said button; and any; person at any other station, attempting a tele'phonic hook ups' with either the said calling orcalled station, would" receive a" busy'signal.

It has been found that quite often, due to forgetiulness or to the press of other duties as at the station of a busy executive, the; white button at the calling station is left projected, despite the fact that perhaps even while he is talking with the person at thestation called'itbecon'ies imperative that he be spokento over the system by a person at some other station than the called one. Sometimes, in a large factory for'insztance, the stations are at great distances from. each other. Even in that case, the last-named person has no choice but to walk around the premises to'loc'ate the station at which the white button is not depressed; with the result that the system is'not in use as frequently as it might be, andla person desiring'to report to or consult with an other has to seek out the latter and speak to him face to face.

Intercommunicating s stem are also characterized by the inclusion at each station of a nor nially open receiving switch, which, according to principles well-knownin the art, is so operative ly connected with said white button or equivalent that said-receiving switch remains closedwhile the white button remains projected This operative connection is also such that the meansfcontrolled by said white button is also under control of the receiving switch; that is, if the receiving switch were opened, the white button would be: come depressed, and thus terminate the"lbusy condition so far as the calling and called stations are concerned.

According to the present invention, across; control-means is provided between the different stations for thus acting on the closed receiving switch of acalled station, thereby to cause dei pressionof the then projected white button at that station; such means actuable from any station telative to any other station. I

Morespecifi'cally, according to one embodiment of the invention, an auxiliary group of actuators is provided ateaclr station; which actuators are below called the selector switchesQ Said switches are manually individually sele'ctably operable, as by-push-buttons or otherwise. At each statlon' thenurhberoi selector switches provided is equal to the total number of stations less one. At any station, each of theselector switches is wired to a different one of a plurality of electromagnetic instrunientalities, assolenoids, one at eachof a diiierentone of the other stations. Each sole hold is normally 'deener'gized; but itis adapted when energized to open the receiving switch at its own" station (if thensaid receiving switch be clhsetl) as the result of the actuation of "a selector switch at another station and appropriate to the station whereat is said solenoid.

Thus, when a person at any station endeavors to call another station and he receives a busy signal, he checks the fact that the system is actually in use by the person at the station sought to be called. If that station is actually in use, the person there will understand what has happened, and, hearing the click of the solenoid at his station, will immediately again depress his white button, thus being able without material interruption to continue his telephonic conversation with whomever he is then holding such conversation. Consequently, the person endeavoring to call him will again hear the busy signal. So he, too, will understand the situation. However, if the person at the sought to be called station has finished use of the system, but has neglected to depress the white button at said station, the now calling station instantly can get through to the station sought to be called. I I

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 shows front elevationally the equipment at each station included in a system of the kind above alluded to, after such an equipment has had added thereto means pursuant to the present invention, said means including a solenoid as its electromagnetic instrumentality relative to the receiving switch of said equipment.

. Fig.2 is .a fragmentary section, ltaken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 isa diagrammatic view, showing a system having,fori example, merely five stations, each served at its receiving switch by a difierent solenoid; the wiring here being wholly schematic and solely indicativeof the standard way in which the stations may be telephonically coupled one with any other.

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating one now favored way of embodying the present invention in connection with the five stations of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view illustrating a variation, in which the inter-station wiring is simplified over that shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings more in detail, the typical conventional station equipment illustrated in Fig. 1 includes a cabinet l having a widened bottom portion fronted by a panel ll provided with the aforesaid white button, this indicated at I2, and a bank [4 of four call buttons one for each of the other four stations.

In Fig. 3 (and also in Figs. 4 and :the five stations are respectively marked A, B, C, D and E; and in Fig. 3 it will be noted, from an inspection of the arrow-head carrying lines shown, that at the station A a call button b is for establishing communication with the station B, a call button 0 isfor making such a connection with the station C, a call button dis for making such a connection with the station D, and a call button e is for making such a connection with the station E. In the same way, the call buttons a, c, d and eat the station B are for respectively hooking in the stations A, C, D and E; the call buttons 11, b, d and e at the station C are for respectively hooking in the stations A, B, D and E; the call buttons a, b, c and e at the station D are for respectively hooking in the stations A, B, C and E; and the 08 11 'lies the receiving switch [5.

buttons at, b, c and d at the station E are for respectively hooking in the stations A, B, C and D.

It will further be noted from Fig. 3 that all the call buttons a at the stations B, C, D and E lead to a connection It going to the receiving switch 15 of the station A; that all the call buttons 1) at the stations A, C, D and E lead to a connection l1 going to the receiving switch I 5 of the station B; :that all the call buttons 0 at the stations A, B, D and E lead to a connection i 8 going to the receiving switch of the station C; that all the call buttons (1 at the stations A, B, C and E lead to a connection 19 going to the receiving switch of the station D; and that all the call buttons e at the stations A, B, C and D lead to a connection 20 going to the receiving switch of the station E.

Referring now to the arrangement provided by the present invention, the means for closing a then open receiving switch 55 at any station, said means operable for that purpose from any other station, is shown as incorporating a solenoid 2| at each station, and an auxiliary bank or row of buttons 22, each of these for actuation to energize a different one of the solenoids by closing an appropriate one of the aforesaid selector switches. Each solenoids armature (as shown in Figs. 1 and 2) is oper-atively coupled to one end of a lever 24 pivoted at 25. The other end of such lever over- When said switch I5 is closed the part thereof seen in Fig. 2 is projected outwardly from the panel H as shown in that view, so that when the lever 24 is arranged as there shown. When, however, the solenoid is energized, the lever is snapped to swing in the direction of the arrow 26, thereby to act on the switch l5 to open the same. As already stated, this results in reopening all communication lines to the station at which the solenoid is energized, accompanied by outward projection of the white button l2 at said station. But, as also already stated, all that is required, immediately to restore the communication line momentarily interrupted by said projection of said white button, is for the person at said station to manually depress said button.

Energization of the solenoid 2| at any station may be eifected by a person at any one of the other stations. This is done by a depression of any one of the buttons 22 at the latter station; as will be made clear when the wiring arrangements of Figs. 4 and 5 are described.

As the apparatus at each station is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the solenoid 2| is suitably fixedly mounted in a compartment provided within a casing member 2! suitably attached to the standard cabinet It opposite one end of the widened bottom portion thereof fronted by the panel II; a post 28 or the like is suitably fixed in position for pivotally mounting the lever 24 between its ends; and an auxiliary panel 29 for the bank of selector switches 22 is also suitably connected as at 29 to said cabinet. The construction just described is that of an actual satisfactorily operating installation already made, and tested in daily use; but, as will be understood, where a manufacturer of an intercommunicating system incorporates the present invention in standard equipment, a streamlined model is possible, with the solenoid and other working parts inside a single cabinet for all the working parts, as the cabinet It. As will also be understood, the present invention may be used in connection with a system having as few or as many stations as desired, with, usually, as many selector switches, at each station, as the number of stations less one.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the stations A, BIG, D and E are arranged in diagrammatic-spatial relation substantially as are the same stations in Fig. 3. At each station is also shown a oank of selector-switches respectively served by buttons corresponding to the buttons 22 of Fig. 1. At the station A said switches are respectively marked 22 22 ,22 and 22 at the station B said switches are respectively marked 22 22 2?. and 22 at the station C said switches are respectively marked 22 22 22 and 22 at the station D said switches are respectively marked 22 22 22 and 22 and at the station E said switches are respectively marked 22 22 22 and 22 *From each of the selector switches 22 of the stations B, C, D and E a wire til, ill, 32 or 33 connects with a main wire 34; and from the latter a wire 35 extends to the solenoid 2| at the station A. From each of the selector switches 22* ofthestations A, C, D and E a wire 3t, 37, 38 or '39 connects with a main wire id; and from the lattera wire 4I extends to the solenoid ill at the station B. From each of the selector switches 22 of the stations A, B, D and E a wire 42, is, M or connects with a main wire it; and from the latter a wire 4'! extends to the solenoid 2I "at the station C. From each of the selector switches 22 of the stations A, B, C and E a wire 48, 49, or 5| connects with a main wire 52; and'from the latter a wire 53 extends to the solenoid 2| at the station D; and from each of the selector switches 22 of the stations A, B, C and D 'a wire 54, 55, 56 or 5'! connects with a main wire 58; and from the latter a wire 59 extends to the solenoid 2| at the station E.

From each of the solenoids iii a wire 6d, iii, 52, 63 or fid'extends to a main wire til; and from all the selector switches at each of the stations A, B, C,"D and E is extended a wire 66, El, 68, 69 or ill, leading to a main wire ll. Said main wires and Here connected respectively to the opposite terminals of a current source I2.

Referring to Fig. 5, the stations A, B, C, D and E are shown substantially as in Fig. 3, Here, however, at each station is merely one selector switch I22. The wires 535, iii, Mil, I53 and I59 correspond respectively to the wires 35, ll, il, 53 and 59 in that each one of them extends to a different solenoid 2! for eiiecting momentary opening of a closed receiving switch I5 at the station with which such solenoid is associated. From each of the selector switches I a wire Itll, IBI, I62, I63 or IE4 connects with a main wire I55 also connected with said wires I 35, Mi, i523 and I 59. From each of the selector switches i522 a wire I66, I51, Ififi, IE5) or ill! connects with a main wire Ill. From each of the solenoids 2| a wire I12, I13, I'M, I75 or Hi5 extends to a main wire I I1. Said main wires I be and I'll areconnected respectively to the opposite terminals of a current source I18.

The modified arrangement just described is one in which the single selector switch I22 at each station is operable to cause momentary energization of the solenoids 2| at all five stations. The principal objection, of course, would be the increased possibility of interrupting more than one conversation. The advantage would lie in the simplicity of construction, and the decrease in the number of wires required.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to he understood that I do not limit myself tothe pre clse constructions herein disclosed and 'theright 6 is-reserved to allchanges and modifications coming within the scope of theinvention as defined in' the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. Foruse in association with an intercommunicating' system including means'manually operable at any station for establishing telephonic connection with any other station provided the latter station is not already in telephonic connection with some station other than the firstnamed station and further including means incorporating a device at each station which becomes abnormally positioned there when such station as the calling station has established telephonic connection with a called station and which remains thus abnormally positioned during maintion of a busy-conditiomchecking means at each station actuable to restore said device to normal position should it then be in abnormal position, and means manually operable from any station for actuating said busy-condition-checking means at another station.

2. For use in association with an intercommunicating system including means manually operable at any station for establishing tele phonic connection with any other station provided the latter station is not already in telephonic connection withsome station other than the first-named station and further including means incorporating a device at each station which becomes abnormally positioned there when such station as the calling station has established telephonic connection with a called station and which remains thus abnormally positioned during maintenance of said connection, means whereby said device while thus abnormally positioned is eiiectiveto prevent any station other than said calling and called stations from establishing telephonic connection with either of the two last-named stations, an auxiliary system including the combination ofa busy-conditionchecking means at each station actuable to restore said device to normal position should it then be-in abnormal position, and means manually operable from any station for actuating said busy-condition-checking means at another station, said manually operable means at each station including a plurality of selectively manually operable instrumentalities each in operative connection with a busy-conclition-checking means at a different one of a plurality of stations other than the station at which said manually operable means'is operated.

r 3. For use in association with "an intercommunicating system including means manually operable at any station for establishing telephonic connection with any other station provided the latter station is not already in telephonic connection with some station other than the first-named station and further including means incorporating a device at each station which becomes abnormally positioned there when such station as the calling stati'on'has established telephonic connection with acalled station and which remains thus abnormally positioned during maintenance of said connection, means whereby said device while thus abnormally poave... .2

sitioned -isefie'ctive to prevent any station other than said calling and called stations from establishing telephonic connection with either of the two last-named stations, an auxiliary system including the combination of a busy-conditionchecking means at each station actuable to re-- store said device to normal position should it then be in abnormal position, and means manually operable from any station for actuating said busy-condition-checking means at another station, said manually operable means at each station having a single actuator in operative connection with and for concurrently operating the several busy-condition-checking means at a pinrality of stations other than the station at which said manually operable means is operated.

4. For use in association with an intercommunicating system including means manually operable at any station for establishing telephonic connection with any other station. provided the latter station is not already in telephonic connection with some station other than the first-named station and further including means incorporating a device at each station which becomes abnormally positioned there when such station as the calling station has established telephonic connection with a called station and which remains thus abnormally positioned during maintenance of said connection, means whereby said device while thus abhormally positioned is effective to prevent any station other than said calling and called stations from establishing telephonic connection with either of the two last-named stations, an auxiliary system including the combination of a busycondition-checking means at each station actuable to restore said device to normal position should it then be in abnormal position, and means manually operable from any station for actuating said busy-condition-checking means at another station, said manually operable means at each station having a single actuator in operative connection with and for concurrently operating the several busy-condition-checking means at all the stations other than the station at which said manually operable means is operated.

5. For use in association with an intercommunicating system including means manually operable at any station for establishing telephonic connection with any other station provided the latter station is not already in telephonic connection with some station other than the first-named station and further including means incorporating a device at each station which becomes abnormally positioned there when such station as the calling station has established telephonic connection with a called station and which remains thus abnormally positioned during maintenance of said connection, means whereby said device while thus abnormally positioned is effective to prevent any station other than said calling and called stations from establishing telephonic connection with either of the two last-named stations, an auxiliary system including the combination of a busy-conditionchecking means at each station actuable to restore said device to normal position should it then be in abnormal position, and means manually operable from any station for actuating said busy-condition-checking means at another station, each of said busy-condition-checking means incorporating an electromagnetic means.

6. For use in association with an intercommunicating system including means manually operable at any station for establishing telephonic connection with any other station provided the latter station is not already in telephonic connection with some station other than the first-named station and further including means incorporating a device at each station which becomes abnormally positioned there when such station as the calling station has established telephonic connection with a called station and which remains thus abnormally positioned during maintenance of said connection, means whereby said device while thus abnormally positioned is effective to prevent any station other than said calling and called stations from establishing telephonic connection with either of the two last-named stations, an auxiliary system including the combination of a busy-condition-checking means at each station actuable to restore said device to normal position should it then be in abnormal position, and means manually operable from any station for actuating said busy-condition-checking means at another station, each of said busy-condition-checking means incorporating a normally deenergized solenoid.

7. For use in association with an intercommunicating system including means manually operable at any station for establishing telephonic connection with any other station provided the latter station is not already in telephonic connection with some station other than the first-named station and further including means incorporating a device at each station which becomes abnormally positioned there when such station as the calling station has established telephonic connection with a called station and which remains thus abnormally positioned during maintenance of said connection, means whereby said device while thus abnormally positioned is effective to prevent any station other than said calling and called stations from establishing telephonic connection with either of the two last-named stations, an auxiliary system including the combination of a busy condition-checking means at each station actuable to restore said device to normal position should it then be in abnormal position, and means manually operable from any station for actuating said busy-condition-checking means at another station, said manually operable means at each station including a plurality of selectively manually operable instrumentalities each in operative connection with a busy-conditionchecking means at a different one of a plurality of stations other than the station at which said manually operable means is operated, each of said busy-condition-checking means at each station there incorporating a solenoid, and each of said selectively manually operable instrumentalities at each station comprising a selector switch actuable to cause energization of a solenoid at a different station.

ALFRED CONHAGEN.

REFERENCE S CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,251,536 Keckler Jan. 1, 1918 1,356,256 Britten Oct. 19, 1920 2,170,391 Ruth Aug. 22, 1939 2,179,652 Waite Nov. 14, 1939 2,245,756 Cavanaugh June 17, 1941 

